344 



Mr. Ray of the Number of Plants. 



rTTIO determine precifely what Numher of Plants 

 1 there are in the World, is a thin^*, if not ab- 

 folutely, at leaft morally impoffible, as we fhall prove 

 anon. But before we make any conje£ture about 

 their Number, it will be requifite to debate thefe 

 two Queftions. I . Whether there have been or are 

 yearly any new Species produced befides what were 

 at firffc created? z. Whether there have been, or 

 may be any Species loft or deftroyed ? For if either 

 of thefe be affirmed , in vain would it be to enquire 

 the number of the Plants it .being uncertain , and 

 variable every Year, and that poffibly to a very great 

 excefs, or defeft. For the caufes of thefe Deftru£ti- 

 ons and Produ&ions being accidental, there is no 

 reafon why one fhould exa&ly, or in any near pro- 

 portion, balance and compenfate the other. 



Of the firft Queftion, thofe that hold the affirma- 

 tive for proof of their Opinion, alledge common Ex- 

 perience : For doth not every new Year afford us new 

 forts of Flowers and Fruits? And confequently new 

 forts of Plants? Are not our Gardens and Orchards 

 yearly enriched with new forts, for Example, of Ju- 

 ly Flowers , 'Tulips^ and Anemonies^ of Apples and 

 Pears ? Do not our Gardeners fell us thefe for di- 

 !tin£t Species ? And do not Herbarifts generally enu- 

 merate and defcribe them for fuch? What Herbal 

 doth not make, forinftance, Caryophyllus^ or Viola^ 

 Paralyfis^ with a double Flower, different kinds from 

 thofe with a fingle ? I Anfwer, It is true, they <lo 

 foj but if we examine and confider wherein their 

 Differences confift, we fhall find reafon to doubt 

 whether they be fpecifically diftind or noj nay ra- 



